Male fitting with actuating retaining feature

Abstract

A male fitting has a body that defines a fluid passage that extends through the body from a first end to a second end. The body may include a first portion adjacent to the first end, a second portion adjacent to the second end and a middle portion separating the first and second portions. The body may further define a slot between the middle portion and the second end. The slot extends at least partially circumferentially around the body. An actuating member may extend at least partially around the body. The actuating member may have at least one stop feature that engages with the body, and a retaining feature that is at least partially aligned with the slot. A spring disposed between the body and the actuating member may exert a force on the actuating member so as to position the retaining feature radially outward from the slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A male fitting, comprising:
 a. a body that defines a fluid passage that extends through the body from a first end to a second end, the body having first portion adjacent to the first end, a second portion adjacent to the second end and a middle portion that separates the first and second portions, the second portion defining a male end of the male fitting, the body further defining a first slot between the middle portion and the second end, wherein the first slot extends at least partially circumferentially around the body; 
 b. an actuating member that extends at least partially around the body, the actuating member having at least one stop feature that engages with the body and a retaining feature aligned with the first slot; and 
 c. a spring disposed between the body and the actuating member, wherein the spring exerts a force on the actuating member so as to position the retaining feature radially outward from the first slot. 
 
     
     
       2. The male fitting as in  claim 1 , wherein the spring is one of a coil spring or a leaf spring. 
     
     
       3. The male fitting as in  claim 1 , wherein the body at least partially defines an insert opening. 
     
     
       4. The male fitting as in  claim 1 , further comprising an insert disposed within the fluid passage of the body. 
     
     
       5. The male fitting as in  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a groove disposed within the fluid passage and a retaining member inserted into the groove. 
     
     
       6. The male fitting as in  claim 4 , wherein the insert comprises of at least one of a butterfly valve, a ball valve, a check valve, a fluid filter, a flow restrictor or measurement device. 
     
     
       7. The male fitting as in  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a second slot that extends circumferentially around the second portion. 
     
     
       8. The male fitting as in  claim 7 , further comprising a radial seal disposed in the second slot. 
     
     
       9. The male fitting as in  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed by at least one of casting, molding or machining. 
     
     
       10. The male fitting as in  claim 1 , wherein the body at least partially defines one or more surface features disposed along the first portion. 
     
     
       11. A coupling system, comprising:
 a. a receiver body having an opening that extends through an outer wall and an inner wall of the receiver body, the receiver body further having a retaining slot proximate to the opening; 
 b. a male fitting having a body that defines a fluid passage that extends through the body from a first end to a second end, the body having first portion adjacent to the first end, a second portion adjacent to the second end and a middle portion that separates the first and second portions, the second portion defining a male end of the male fitting, the body further defining a first slot between the middle portion and the second end, wherein the first slot extends at least partially circumferentially around the body, wherein the second portion is complementary to the receiver body opening; 
 c. an actuating member that extends at least partially around the body, the actuating member having at least one stop feature that engages with the body, and a retaining feature substantially aligned with the first slot; 
 d. a spring disposed between the body and the actuating member, wherein the spring exerts a force on the actuating member so as to position the retaining feature radially outward from the first slot; and 
 e. wherein the second portion of the male fitting is disposed at least partially within the opening of the receiver body, and the retaining feature extends at least partially into the retaining slot of the receiver body. 
 
     
     
       12. The coupling system as in  claim 11 , wherein the spring is one of a coil spring or a leaf spring. 
     
     
       13. The coupling system as in  claim 11 , wherein the body at least partially defines an insert opening. 
     
     
       14. The coupling system as in  claim 11 , further comprising an insert disposed within the fluid passage of the body. 
     
     
       15. The coupling system as in  claim 14 , wherein the insert comprises of at least one of a butterfly valve, a ball valve, a check valve, a fluid filter, a flow restrictor or measurement device. 
     
     
       16. The coupling system as in  claim 11 , wherein the body defines a second slot that extends circumferentially around the second portion. 
     
     
       17. The coupling system as in  claim 16 , further comprising a radial seal disposed in the second slot. 
     
     
       18. The coupling system as in  claim 11 , wherein the body is formed by at least one of casting, molding or machining. 
     
     
       19. The coupling system as in  claim 11 , wherein the body at least partially defines one or more surface features disposed along the first portion. 
     
     
       20. The coupling system as in  claim 11 , wherein the receiver body comprises of one of a bioreactor, a container, a vessel, a tank, a female fitting or a bulkhead.